My blogfriend Cindy Bryan posted today "Thoughts on leading Worship Music". I was gonna post this as a comment, but like I told Cindy, it got so long I decided to edit it a little and post it here so I can monopolize my own real estate. I recommend you read her post before reading here.
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I, too, have been one to criticize contemporary worship. I will be the first to admit that I have been unfair (Lily raises her hand). I got to a point where if I heard "Blessed be Your Name" (a song which I LOVE) one more time I was gonna croak. I used to think, "Why the heck do they have to drive these great songs in to the dirt? Where's the variety? And who's in charge of this stuff, anyway?"
But now, since I haven't participated in organized worship for about 5 months, and because of my *other* issues with the church, and honestly because I have no musical talent whatsoever and therefore have never been in that position, I no longer consider myself to be objective. In other words, it's easy to critique what I don't understand. (That's part of my learning process in a big way.) All the points Cindy just made help me understand, to a much greater degree, what worship leaders are up against.
Let me ask ya'all a couple questions, not directed at anyone personally or what you or your church may do in worship, just seeking opinions based on experience.
Do you think that the "center stage" (i.e. like a concert - where you have a band and an audience) manner of worship that is so common today is somewhat perpetuated by church size?
What I mean is, in a smaller church it is (at least theoretically) much easier to have broader participation by many members rather than a "worship team". In a bigger church there have to be more controls in all areas of the service. When you move from a service size where someone can ask the Pastor a question in the middle of the sermon to a congregation of several hundred or more or more you obviously can't let things get crazy.
Without getting into a whole lotta contextual issues, in 1 Cor 14:26 it says that everyone has a hymn, word, revelation, etc. This would suggest participatory worship (not just following along in the singing, but each person having a voice). In a larger size body, certainly allowing everyone who wishes to to share a word or a song of whatever the service would drag on for days.
Do you think this passage is also suggesting the size of the body, i.e. one that is small enough to facilitate these principals?
Do you think size is a determining factor in how worship is carried out, or is the "concert" style of worship just a function of modernity? Or something else?
I guess what I'm saying is that while I deliberately choose not to lay blame on anyone for this - because there are so many considerations and so many variables - this style of worship has always bothered me. I'm just wondering if there is another way.
Do you think there is an answer to these criticisms that Cindy mentions in her post, i.e. is there another way to "do" worship, that will work in larger bodies?
Please know I have the utmost respect for worship team members. I know (now) that what they do is hard. My husband has begun (in the last several years) to play drums for worship at several different churches of different denominations, and I know that he works hard at it and the body offers little respect.
One thing about his participation that interests me, though, is how he can play at a charismatic church, a Nazarene church, or a non-denominational church, and the only thing he has to adjust is the volume or tempo. In other words, the songs and style are primarily the same across the board.
Do you think congruency between churches and denominations in manner and substance of worship is a good thing? Does it make it more comfortable for people or does it just signify how the modern evangelical churches have amalgamated over the years?
I welcome any thoughts on these questions. I want to gain a fair perspective with the help of a your voices.
Thanks, Lily.
hey lily. thanks for the link. i'm going to hold off on answering to give anyone else a chance before I skew the stats. by the way, the avg attendance at the service we lead is about 60. I'll be back.
ReplyDeletecindy
Thanks for checking in, Cindy.
ReplyDeleteMy questions were born out of personal experience (which has always been in a church of at least 500 up to 10000). I have never been in a church that did worship "differently; I have always been in contemporary worship settings. So I am seeking perspective both about how size affects worship as well as how worship can be done other than the typical "contemporary" style.
I'll look forward to what you have to say. I wasn't sure about your church size, but that will give you an interesting perspective on my questions.
Considering my lack of readership, you might be the only one commenting on this. But you can give it a few days and see.
Thanks, Lily
I felt very sad when I read Cindy's post. I pray that she will find people who appreciate her worship leading.
ReplyDeleteFrom my perspective I don't worship lead myself, but I have a daughter who does plus my husband use to so I understand some of the difficulties. For me worship at a church service is about connecting to God through the singing of worshipful songs. I try to do this regardless of the songs or music.
I think it needs to be acknowledge some people in churches simply do not want to connect with God in this way so whatever you do in terms of encouraging them to participate they are just not going in. True worship changes us (there was a song around that said, "... and I'm changed in the presence of a holy God ...") some people do not want to change and so will not enter into worship.
I don't think church size, style of service, type of music really matters that much. When I look at Jesus he went to the synagogue for 30 odd years and never attempted to change the service (He did, however, try to change their hearts/attitudes).
I remember some Sunday night services I went to a while ago. There were about 24 people, the music wasn't that good but the worship was wonderful because the people really wanted to connect with God.
I think sometimes we get too hung up on the music being excellent. One of the reason my husband doesn't worship lead any more is because other musicians felt he wasn't musically correct enough. Yet I feel he has a real gift for leading people into connecting with God which to me is far more important that being technically correct. (He is not that worried about not worship leading because he does other things now.)
Just one other thing I would like to add. I know a lot of blogs criticize worship leaders, songs, music etc. but I don't think this is a true representation of the general Christian population. There a lot of Christians, without blogs, who love the worship at their church services.
Lets continue to worship Him.
Those are excellent comments, Susan. I feel convicted (In a good way) from whAt you've said. Sometimes when I have been frustrated with worship I have hAd to take a closr look at what I was feeling and realized that I was *mad* at God for something and that was why I felt frustrated. As soon as I addressed the rel issue, I was able to worship.
ReplyDeleteI do think there are other reasons I have felt frustrared, but it's good for me to recognize this one, because it's my *fault*, not the worhip team's.
Sorry about the typos there. I just rolled out of bed.
ReplyDelete;)
Ooh ooh. I didn't mean to cause anyone to feel sorry for me! I enjoy what we do- most of the time ;-)- and of course would quit if we didn't feel led by God to be there doing it. I hope that Susan is right, that most folks don't think overly critical thoughts about worship musicians. Being in a job can over-sensitize one to criticisms of it, to be sure. I was mainly hoping to cause some of the critics to give second thought to the difficult task of music leaders, and trying to keep everybody more or less happy.
ReplyDeletecindy
Lily- I'm back to answer your questions.
ReplyDeleteI think that in order to have a church most like the NT examples, it would need to be fairly small.
I know for certain, though, that having a small congregation is no guarantee that a worship service will incorporate more of the body. I'm not even sure that a small size makes is easier. It seems to me that it has a lot more to do with tradition and personalities than congregation size.
Once, when Keith and I were doing some special music for a very small rural church, I had to keep consciously reminding myself to shut my gaping mouth. There were maybe 15-20 in the congregation. It was a somber, high church service, with the 6 or so member choir and pastor actually processing down the 10 ft aisle at the beginning and end of the service. It's been years, but I learned a vivid lesson about tradition that day.
Even in the casual (round tables and snacks) service we help lead, no one would dare to interrupt the sermon with a question. They can get up for more coffee during the music and announcements wearing their golf shorts and flip flops, but there's still a tight lock on some aspects of tradition.
I do believe, however, that we'd be much better off with worship services that incorporate more of the body. My desire for that is one of the reasons for many of the frustrations I feel as a music leader in worship. It shouldn't be just me and Keith and the preacher who who are responsible for the worship. It should be something we all accomplish together. It's what emerging churches are trying to accomplish, among other things. What I don't know is if it is possible to make the transition with a set congregation. We've bred congregations full of people who expect to observe worship rather than participate in it. Now they're used to it, and don't want any more responsibility. It's a circular problem that confounds me.
Shoot. That was from me, cindy. I knew I'd eventually forget to sign my name.
ReplyDeleteThanks again, Cindy, for some wise words.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting what you say about how it's more tradition than size. I had never thought about that, but I have been to some smaller churches where I couldn't imagine someone asking a question.
As usual, I will say here that it takes different strokes for different folks, and I'm happy for anyone who is able to grow and mature in their church setting.
But I, for one, would love to experience a place where there was more interaction and freedom. I have heard of such places, but have yet to visit one.
All in all, what I want is for everyone to be honest with themselves about their spiritual health. If they are in the place that God wants them, filling the role He wants them to, then all is good with me.
I worry though about other people like me that have had to be honest and realized that it wasn't working, but then are lost in the black hole between churches.
I admire you for your and Keith's willingness to lead worship when so many people do like to "bash" it. I know I have been unfair in at least one post (a while back) about worship and leaders and all that jazz.
I appreciate the perspective you have shared, both on your blog and here.